Elude the Flu

Don’t get it. Don’t spread it.

I have asthma. Do I need a flu
vaccine?
Yes! Although the flu (influenza)
vaccine is not 100-percent effective
against infection, it drastically reduces
the chance of getting influenza. Adults
with asthma are at high risk of developing
complications after getting the
influenza virus, yet most adults with
asthma do not receive an annual flu
vaccination.

Symptoms of uncomplicated influenza
include fever, headache, fatigue, sore
throat, dry cough, muscle aches, and
rhinitis. In addition, children may experience
nausea, vomiting, and earache.
More serious complications may also
develop, especially in those with asthma
who are more susceptible to pneumonia
and other chronic lung problems.

The flu vaccine is safe and effective,
and all asthmatics are encouraged to get
it as part of their routine annual care.

Can I get the flu from the vaccine?
No. The flu vaccine is inactivated
(killed), which means it cannot cause
infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers
kill the viruses used in the vaccine during
the process of making the vaccine,
and batches of flu vaccine are tested to
make sure they are safe. According to
the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, rare symptoms include
fever, muscle pain, and feelings of discomfort
or weakness. If these problems
occur, they are very uncommon and
usually begin soon after the shot and
last one to two days.

Why do some people still get sick
after getting the vaccine?
There are
several reasons why someone may get
sick even after being vaccinated. It takes
two weeks for the body to gain protection
after being vaccinated. A person
exposed to influenza shortly after being
vaccinated is at risk of contracting the
illness. Get your flu shot early to make
sure you are protected. People may also
get sick from a different virus that causes
flu-like symptoms, or they may be exposed
to a virus that is not included in
the vaccine.

Even so, the shot can lessen illness
severity and is especially important for
people at high risk for serious flu-related
complications (such as asthmatics, senior
citizens, and pregnant women) and the
close-contacts of those individuals
(caretakers and nurses).

Before being vaccinated, talk with
your doctor if you have had a severe
reaction to a flu vaccination in the past,
or if you have had the rare Guillain-Barre
Syndrome. Viruses for the flu shot are
grown in eggs, so an allergist should be
consulted before vaccinating children
with severe egg allergy.

Can I take the nasal vaccine instead
of the shot?
The nasal vaccine
also contains a small amount of egg
protein, and it is only approved for
people ages 2 to 49. The package insert
warns against giving it to children
with asthma, a recent wheezing episode,
or immunodeficiency. You will
want to consult your doctor or your
allergist if this applies to you.